Avoiding Ethanol

[Annoyed]

Don't know how many of you this will apply to, but over the past few weeks, I've been asking the various brands of gas stations around here (Western NY) about the ethanol content of their fuels.

Seems that the Hess stations around here don't have ANY ethanol content. I've talked to the managers @ 3 of their stations, two of which seemed to at least understand the question and they say Hess doesn't use it. And none of their pumps have the warning labels that are required.

Any guesses as to which brand of fuel I'll be using exclusively?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

That's awesome! An added bonus if you're a boater too... Unless the boat is really new ethonal can be a disaster

 

[Annoyed]

That's awesome! An added bonus if you're a boater too... Unless the boat is really new ethonal can be a disaster

/agreed.

I wish the frak the government would stop trying to shove the desires of the environmental nut cases down all of our throats. If *you* want to drive something that runs like crap, is no bigger than a go-kart, and would lose out in a collision with a jackrabbit, fine. Go to it, Have fun!

But don't you dare try to force your choices down my throat!

 

[4boer]

Been running 10% Eth in my cars, and boat, for 25 years with no issue. No doubt it's a big boondoggle recently and I don't want the % to go up, but who has had a problem with the stuff?

 

[eskimochaos]

/agreed.

I wish the frak the government would stop trying to shove the desires of the environmental nut cases down all of our throats. If *you* want to drive something that runs like crap, is no bigger than a go-kart, and would lose out in a collision with a jackrabbit, fine. Go to it, Have fun!

But don't you dare try to force your choices down my throat!

Couldnt agree with you more. The Hess by me has ethanol in it. In fact, I recently went there for the heck of it after using Exxon premium for a year and got their premium. I noticed a sever impact in mileage and performance.

I now exclusively use Sheel V-Power. Unfortunately it does have ethanol but I think it performs the best of all premium gasolines. Not only is it endorsed and recommended by Toyota as being one of the only top tier gasolines, I swear my engine loves it. It revs faster and just runs better with it.

Shell from now on!

P.S. I was in Ocean City MD and filled up with the Exxon on the way out right over the bridge. (I am sure some of you are familiar with that station). I have NEVER received so much performance, mileage, and efficiency as I did there. Not only did I get over 400 miles out of the tank, I got 23 MPG on the highway doing 85!!!

**** you environmental whack jobs.

Oh yeah - Obama is ruining this country.

Eskimo Out

 

[Theothertyler]

**** you environmental whack jobs.

Oh yeah - Obama is ruining this country.

At the risk of starting a holy war here, it's important to note that ethanol levels were made much more important by the Energy Policy Act of 05, which increased the amount of ethanol that must be mixed with gasoline to certain levels nationwide. This bill was made into law with the support of a Republican House, Senate, and President. So to insinuate that Obama and his "environmental whack jobs" are primarily responsible for the ethanol content at the pump is a bit disingenuous.

Back on topic, I'm sure there are mechanical/cost limitations, but I certainly wouldn't mind a gas station that gave the choice of the 10% blend or no ethanol at all. As for here Central FL, I can't seem to find anywhere to fill up where ethanol isn't in the mix.

 

[SubSonic]

I agree with Theothertyler, this isn't just Obama and his set doing this to the fuel supply - not that I am a fan of the current Prez, by any stretch...

Ethanol has been blended into gasoline for years. It was my understanding that all gas sold in the US had at least 3-5% ethanol blended in it...if station owners are telling you there is NONE, then I am wrong (which I doubt*), or they have no clue what it is they're selling. Ethanol isn't going to "hurt" anything older or boats, etc until its concentration in the fuel gets above 10-15% anyway.

*I bought an E85/FlexFuel Tahoe last year for my business - there's a station nearby that stocks E85, and at the time E85 was $1.50-$2.00 less per gallon than the $4+ regular unleaded...did a lot of research on E85 and came across a brochure that *stated in BOLDED BLACK AND WHITE* that all gasoline sold in the US in the past decade had an ethanol blend of approximately 5% per every gallon (essentially making it all E5 grade).

I don't mind E85. Yes, you only get about 60% of the mileage...but, it appears to run cleaner, and can make much more HP if you're using it in a retro-fitted hot rod. The 100+ octane rating that E85 has does have an upside when it comes to power.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Ethanol


Every gasoline station I have seen here in VA has a "10% Ethanol Blend" sign on their gas pumps. I doubt you can get any ethanol-free gasoline at all. I am not positive about that, but I sure have not seen any.


Out in the rural areas, they sell E85 - and even M85; but it is hard to find in urban areas. Sure, E85 is "cheaper" at the pump....but your fuel mileage will decrease significantly. This is because there are fewer BTUs contained in a gallon of alcohol than in gasoline. (Diesel probably has the highest BTU level, but you better not put it in your gasoline-powered car!)

I suppose an advantage (as mentioned above) is the higher octane level. I doubt you would have any pre-igniton (knocking or pinging) if you were running ethanol in your car. It also burns very clean.
:bigok:

I know that oil companies constantly advertise their additives (Techron, V-Power, Invigorate, etc.), but often wonder about how good they really are. Even when using "off brand" (Wawa, Sheetz, FasMart, East Coast, etc.) fuel, I don't really seem to have much trouble.

Ford recommends BP/Amoco for my Mustang GT, so I do throw in a tank of it once in awhile. The Shell station near my home sells gasoline for a 5-cent discount every Thursday, so I have been hitting them every now and then also. My Sentra runs on just about anything short of crushed banana peels and apple juice.


** REAL TRUCKS DON'T HAVE SPARKPLUGS!! **

 

[offshorebear]

I'll have to try that Exxon in OC next time I'm down there. That's where I get beer before hitting AI anyway Did you get premium? Was it E10?

 

[eskimochaos]

I'll have to try that Exxon in OC next time I'm down there. That's where I get beer before hitting AI anyway Did you get premium? Was it E10?

Always get premium and idk didn't notice if it had E10. It honestly felt like rocket fuel. Lmk if you get the same results.

 

[004Gunner]

I can't stand the 10% ethanol mix and I notice the decrease in fuel economy too. When it got real popular and went to seemingly every gas station, it took me a while to realize the decrease in my fuel economy was from the gas mix and not due to any mechanical malfunction in my runner. I'm sure this has been discussed before but there are just too many valid reasons to not use ethanol as a fuel. Diesel is the way to go for now and I wish more diesel vehicles were available in the U.S. It's slowly starting to catch on and I'm sure most have seen the new VW commercial mocking the Prius . Unfortunately, trying to find who has 10% ethanol in NJ is a lost cause because gas stations are not required to post ethanol content here. I just avoid off brand stations because my exhaust system is too sensitive to the higher sulfur content in them.

 

[TC4Rnr]

is your vehicle's fuel system ethanol proof? ethanol is a solvent. i was watching a TV program while ago talking about ethanol conversion. one thing the hosts did was to replace all the seals and rubber fuel line in the project car with something made of a white color material because ethanol will eat up the conventional gasoline fuel seals. i don't remember it was E85 or 10%.

 

[peter78]

The Hess gas stations left the Atlanta area about 8 years ago. I like buying the Hess toy trucks at Christmas time for my son. I bought one every year. He had about 10 of them. The Hess space shuttle one was the coolest. I didn't know Hess made a space shuttle?

 

[4boer]

I didn't know Hess made a space shuttle? [/B]

E10 or E85 on that big bird?

 

[Annoyed]

Here in Western NY, Exxon/Mobil operates as Mobil, and their stations here do have the warnings posted on the pumps.

In this area, stations are required to have a warning, and so far, Hess are the only ones without the warning labels.

Couldnt agree with you more. The Hess by me has ethanol in it. In fact, I recently went there for the heck of it after using Exxon premium for a year and got their premium. I noticed a sever impact in mileage and performance.

I now exclusively use Sheel V-Power. Unfortunately it does have ethanol but I think it performs the best of all premium gasolines. Not only is it endorsed and recommended by Toyota as being one of the only top tier gasolines, I swear my engine loves it. It revs faster and just runs better with it.

Shell from now on!

P.S. I was in Ocean City MD and filled up with the Exxon on the way out right over the bridge. (I am sure some of you are familiar with that station). I have NEVER received so much performance, mileage, and efficiency as I did there. Not only did I get over 400 miles out of the tank, I got 23 MPG on the highway doing 85!!!

**** you environmental whack jobs.

Oh yeah - Obama is ruining this country.

Eskimo Out

 

[riverider]

I have been driving extra miles to one Shell Station who sells real 100@ the real deal gas. It's higher in cost, but IMHO worth every extra penny.

That Ethanol mixed with gas did a real number on my old Broncos Carb. also it did in both my lawn mowers and a gas edger. Had to rebuild all of their fuel systems.

 

[Annoyed]

I have been driving extra miles to one Shell Station who sells real 100@ the real deal gas. It's higher in cost, but IMHO worth every extra penny.

That Ethanol mixed with gas did a real number on my old Broncos Carb. also it did in both my lawn mowers and a gas edger. Had to rebuild all of their fuel systems.

Yep. The asshats who push this crap don't have the brains god promised a doorknob. What, are all the older vehicles/engines going to magically go away?

Look at that plan Obama was talking up. Give people a couple of thousand bucks to trade in older cars on newer, fuel efficient cars?

Excuse me, but I am not quite that stupid. Even if I liked small cars, which I don't, I'm not going to replace a perfectly good vehicle just for a couple of thousand bucks incentive. The cost of a good small car starts at 18 - 20 K. That scheme is simply yet another giveaway to the kool-aid drinkers on the left.

 

[riverider]

Yep. The asshats who push this crap don't have the brains god promised a doorknob. What, are all the older vehicles/engines going to magically go away?

Look at that plan Obama was talking up. Give people a couple of thousand bucks to trade in older cars on newer, fuel efficient cars?

Excuse me, but I am not quite that stupid. Even if I liked small cars, which I don't, I'm not going to replace a perfectly good vehicle just for a couple of thousand bucks incentive. The cost of a good small car starts at 18 - 20 K. That scheme is simply yet another giveaway to the kool-aid drinkers on the left.

Oh the dirty money grubbing birds do have a plan, and it's all about making BIG bucks off everyone who will be forced to use the junk gas.

This deal has been in the works for a long time. Now they are pushing front stage.:bash:

 

[Fiznar]

I have been driving extra miles to one Shell Station who sells real 100@ the real deal gas. It's higher in cost, but IMHO worth every extra penny.

That Ethanol mixed with gas did a real number on my old Broncos Carb. also it did in both my lawn mowers and a gas edger. Had to rebuild all of their fuel systems.

I highly doubt that it was the ethanol mixed in with your gas that caused a gas edger to not run. Those little tiny engines would run on anything from nail polish remover to wd40.

 

[riverider]

I highly doubt that it was the ethanol mixed in with your gas that caused a gas edger to not run. Those little tiny engines would run on anything from nail polish remover to wd40.

Well I have had this PowerTrim 100 Edger with a 3hp B&S engine I bought in 1966. It always ran great till it started getting E85 gas. Even when the Nolead gas replaced the leaded gas it still ran great. But when our local stations started selling E85 without any public notice. I had problems.

The problem was traced to rubber parts in the Carb. being ruined by the E85.

I agree the good old B&S engines will run on about anything that will burn, but soon you will find the E85 will ruin the Carb.